PRIEST-IN-CHARGE LETTER OF AGREEMENT

who has been called as Priest-in-Charge with the understanding that this tenure is to continue for three years unless dissolved by mutual consent or by arbitration and decision as provided by the relevant Canons of the Diocese of Maryland and of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

VESTRY RESPONSIBILITIES

All ministries other than those reserved to ordained leadership (such as administering the sacraments) are understood as mutual ministries of the laity of the congregation and the Priest-in-Charge. The Vestry shall lead the Laity to support and cooperate with him in pursuit of parish goals.

The Vestry is legal agent for the congregation in all matters concerning its corporate property and in its relationship with the Priest-In-Charge. The Vestry will see that s/he is properly supported personally and organizationally as well as in the Vestry's financial obligations to him.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRIEST-IN-CHARGE

The Priest-in-Charge's ministry is the pastoral and canonical responsibility for the congregation. S/he shall lead the Church as pastor, priest, and teacher, sharing in the councils of this congregation and of the whole church, in communion with the Bishop. S/he shall work with the Vestry and other lay leaders to maintain the regular schedule of worship services and preaching, education, pastoral care and pastoral offices (weddings, funerals, baptisms), calling upon the sick and shut-in, visiting newcomers, and ongoing administration of the parish. S/he or she shall supervise all parish staff in the exercise of their responsibilities and ministries, for which they shall be accountable to the Priest-in-Charge. S/he shall also support the Vestry in its responsibilities.

SECTION A- PRIEST-IN-CHARGE'S TIMES OF WORK AND LEAVE

1. The Priest-In-Charge shall work fifteen hours a week, which shall include Sunday activities. S/he shall announce to the congregation what days of the week shall be his regular days off of work.
2. S/he will have the following periods of leave at full compensation:
3. • National Holidays, to be taken so as not to interfere with worship for major occasions.
   • Vacation, at the rate of one month per year which shall include four Sundays. He or she shall give thirty days notice to the Wardens and Vestry before taking vacation time. S/he shall arrange for supply clergy, and the Vestry agrees to pay supply clergy at the rate recommended by Diocesan Convention.
   • Attendance at the Convention of the Diocese of Maryland, the Bishop's Clergy Conference and any Clergy Days called by the Bishop.

SECTION B- PRIEST-IN-CHARGE'S COMPENSATION

The Priest-in-Charge's cash salary will be [AMOUNT] monthly, paid twice a month.

Church Pension Fund payments at the standard rate of 18% of cash salary shall be paid, according to the Priest-in-Charge’s retirement status.

SECTION C- PRIEST-IN-CHARGE'S EXPENSES

1. Travel expenses up to a total of [AMOUNT] per year, at the current IRS reimbursement rate, plus out-of-pocket costs of parking, fees, tolls, etc.
2. The normal expenses of the Church's office operation, such as telephone, postage, office equipment, supplies, secretarial services, etc.
3. The costs of long distance telephone calls on church business.

SECTION D- DISCRETIONARY FUND

In accordance with the Canons of the General Convention, a Discretionary fund is to be established under the Priest-In-Charge's sole control, consisting of monetary gifts given to the Priest-in-Charge for this specific purpose and other benefits as agreed by the Priest-in-Charge and the Vestry.

SECTION E- SUPPLEMENTARY COMPENSATION

The Priest-in-Charge shall not charge for performing any rites of the Church (for example: baptisms, marriages, funerals). He or she may receive income from other sources, such as fees and honoraria for professional services performed on personal time for groups unrelated to the parish or for sermons, books or articles published outside the parish.

SECTION F- USE OF BUILDINGS

In addition to use and control of the Church and Parish buildings for the discharge of the duties of the Priest-in-Charge's office, as provided by Canon law, the Priest-in-Charge shall have the right to grant use of the buildings to individuals or groups from outside the parish, following guidelines approved by both the Priest-In-Charge and the Vestry.

SECTION G- MUTUAL MINISTRY REVIEW

There shall be an annual discussion and mutual review of the total ministry of the parish, in order to provide the Priest-In-charge, Wardens and Vestry the opportunity to assess how well they are fulfilling their responsibilities to each other and to the ministry they share. Also, this review will act to clarify the expectations of all parties to help put any future conflicts in manageable form. A mutually agreed upon third party shall be engaged to facilitate the mutual ministry review process.

SECTION H- OTHER AGREEMENTS

1. All pay and benefits shall become effective on (date).
2. In case of illness the Priest-in-Charge shall notify the Senior Warden. If he or she is ill on a Sunday, he or she shall arrange for supply clergy, and the Vestry agrees to pay the supply clergy at the rate recommended by the Diocesan Convention.
3. This Letter of Agreement shall be made part of the minutes of the Vestry meeting following its signing, and copies shall be given to each new Vestry member thereafter.
4. The Priest-in-Charge shall attend all meetings of the Fresh Start Program offered by the Diocese for a period of twenty-four months at the beginning of his or her tenure within the congregation.
5. If the Priest-in-Charge and Vestry are in disagreement concerning interpretation of this Letter of Agreement, any party may appeal for mediation to the office of the Bishop of Maryland, who is the final interpreter and arbiter of this Letter of Agreement.

Date _________________ (signed) ____________________________________ Priest-in-Charge

Date _________________ (signed) ____________________________________ Senior Warden

Date__________________ (signed) ____________________________________ Deployment Off.

Date _________________ (signed) ____________________________________ Bishop